This year CYC sent two boats to the Head of the Charles Regatta. This is an international event held in Boston annually and attracts elite rowers from around the world. It is considered a homecoming for former US National Team members. Kate Cavazza and Henri Durand rowed a mixed para double and Phil Gilmore, Paul Jeffrey, Tom Phillips and Carl Parziale rowed a 4+ coxed by Dan Gilbert.
The races were the weekend of October 21 and the New England weather was as expected. It started out dreary and turned worse.
The 4+ headed down to the starting line in a light drizzle. During the race it may or may not have rained. The rowers were oblivious and rowed hard and well. Finishing 7th (with the first two boats hailing from England,) the boat took solace in the fact that all boats who were faster were substantially younger. Although the boats are segregated by age, the spread is ten years and CYC was in the older part of the bracket.
The double began their trek to the starting line hours before the race. This allowed them to participate in meaningful para events but lead to a long day before the race. By the time they actually were warming up and preparing to go down the course, the heavens had opened. Visibility became limited and the Head of the Charles is tortuous and noted for its difficulty. The normally intrepid cheering squad from CYC watched the live stream from the comforts of a hotel room. The boat finished a respectable 13th in a field of many Olympians.